I knew this point would be brought up.
I will reply to this because ”forever” relates to other topics in the Bible.
You must know that forever and its other related synonyms does not always mean forever in the Bible.
•
Isaiah 34:9-10 mentions a city in the region of Idumea (of the people of Edom) and how its burning pitch will not be quenched night or day, and the smoke of that city will go up forever. However, again, the Earth (Where Idumea resides) will pass away (
Matthew 24:35) (
Revelation 21:1). Note: Please pay special attention to this passage. It also mentions “
night, “
day” and “
for ever and ever” just like
Revelation 20:10.
• The Israelites and their sons were to keep the Passover “forever” (
Exodus 12:24).
•
Exodus 27:21 says Aaron and his sons must keep the lamps burning as a statute (law) forever unto their generations (descendants).
Exodus 28:43 says that Aaron and his sons must wear certain pieces of clothing when they enter the Tabernacle. This was to be a statute (law) unto Aaron and his sons forever. The Aaronic Priesthood was to be an "everlasting" priesthood (
Exodus 40:15). However, the Aaronic priesthood was temporary, and it was replaced by the priesthood order of Melchisedec (
Hebrews 7:11-19).
• Habakkuk tells us of mountains that were "everlasting" until -- they “were scattered” (
Habakkuk 3:6).
• The children of Israel were to "observe the Sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant" (
Exodus 31:16)-until -- Paul states there remains "another day" of rest for the people of God (
Hebrews 4:8-9) and they are not to let others judge them if they don’t keep the Sabbath days (
Colossians 2:14-17).
• The fire for Israel's burnt offering (animal sacrifice) is never to be put out (
Leviticus 6:12-13), and yet -- Christ offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, and sat down on the right hand of God (
Hebrews 10:12).
• Jonah describes how the earth with her bars was about him forever when he was in the fish (
Jonah 2:6), until--the Lord delivers him from the large fish's belly on the third day (
Jonah 1:17).
• The forts and towers shall be for dens (animal habitations) for ever, until -- the Spirit is poured out (
Isaiah 32:13-16).
• The King James Bible, as well as many other translations, tells us that a bond slave was to serve his master "forever" (
Exodus 21:6). This obviously would be only until his death.
• In
Philemon 1:15: Paul mentioned to Philemon how Onesimus may have departed so that Philemon may receive him back forever. Obviously if this were to have happened, Onesimus is not an immortal man still living upon the Earth with his master (Philemon) today. If Onesimus returned, he would have returned back to his master forever within the context of their temporary lives upon the Earth.
So the word "forever" and its related synonyms as used in the Bible is true. It does mean "forever" but it is talking in "forever" under the context of within either a temporary Covenant, or here upon this Earth (which is temporal). For example: A husband can say to his wife that he will be with her forever. But of course, this talking in context of "forever" as being here upon this Earth. In many cases, words such as "everlasting" or "forever" can be in context to a particular thing that is temporal within the Bible.
Source used:
(Please take note that I do not agree with everything these Christian authors believe, say, or do).
(I also adjusted some of his points on his list, as well).
Apttpteach